Iran-US peace initiatives lead talks as Pezeshkian meets Pakistan’s top leaders in Islamabad

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Pakistan’s senior leadership in Islamabad on Tuesday. The talks covered regional developments and peace efforts linked to the US. Officials also discussed steps to strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations. Security was tightened across the capital during the visit, with restrictions in key areas.

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Pezeshkian held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari after an official welcome. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the welcome ceremony. Pezeshkian later met Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The army said both sides exchanged views on regional developments and peace initiatives.

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and Iran-US talks

Zardari welcomed Pezeshkian on a first state visit to Pakistan after the recent conflict with the US. Zardari said the trip showed long-standing brotherly ties between the countries. Zardari also congratulated Pezeshkian on the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Zardari hoped technical talks would lead to permanent regional peace.

The US and Iran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday. The pact aims to restore peace in West Asia. It also seeks to advance talks on regional security and other contentious issues. Pezeshkian’s visit came days after Iran held talks with the US in Switzerland.

During the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, held on Sunday and Monday, Iran and the US agreed on a roadmap. The plan sets a 60-day window to seal a final deal. The high-level meeting took place under the framework of the Islamabad MoU. The MoU supports negotiations on security and other disputed matters.

Pakistan-Iran relations and Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding discussions

During the meeting with Zardari, Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s role in Iran-US dialogue. Pezeshkian also reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to deeper bilateral ties and regional peace. The visit aims to discuss full implementation of all clauses of an agreement signed between Iran and the US. Leaders also reviewed regional and international issues of shared interest.

In a separate meeting, Field Marshal Munir called on President Pezeshkian, the army said. Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s "constructive and responsible role\" in dialogue and de-escalation. The statement said Pakistan encouraged peaceful dispute resolution and stronger understanding among regional stakeholders. The army said these efforts came during heightened geopolitical challenges.

Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, the army said. Both sides agreed to strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations further. The army said they would keep close consultations on matters of mutual interest. The shared aim was peace, prosperity and stability across the region.

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding focus and Pezeshkian’s X post

Before leaving Tehran, the Iranian president said the trip sought full implementation of the memorandum under international law. He added the agreement would support stability and security in West Asia, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported. In a post on X, Pezeshkian set conditions for progress in the talks.

\"In a post on X, Pezeshkian cautioned that the effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation. Progress on this path will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities. Statements outside the agreed text do not help advance the negotiations, he added.\"

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding context, arrivals, and security steps

Pezeshkian landed earlier at Nur Khan airbase, according to state-run PTV. President Zardari, PM Sharif and other senior officials received Pezeshkian. Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder jets escorted the aircraft after it entered the country’s airspace. Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad from Muscat.

Araghchi had travelled to Muscat with Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. They held high-level talks with Omani leaders on managing the Strait of Hormuz. In Pakistan, the Foreign Office said on Monday that both sides would review ties. Areas include trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity.

The Foreign Office added that the trip offered a chance to discuss diplomacy after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. It also said talks would cover regional and international developments of mutual interest. In Islamabad, security remained on high alert during the visit. Bus terminals were closed, the Red Zone was sealed, and courts in the area postponed hearings.

With inputs from PTI